Eras Journal – Anderson, R. Abstract

In this paper, the degree of sedentism of Pre-Hongshan cultures in North-East China c. 8000-6500 years ago is analysed from the viewpoint of anticipated mobility, focusing on the amount of labour invested in house and settlement construction. Degrees of sedentism are determined according to levels of construction labour and comparison to other Neolithic societies in China and the Levant, for which more is known. The analysis indicates that Pre-Hongshan cultures were highly sedentary, occupying single sites on seasonal (several months) to semi-permanent (a few years) bases.